AHA Coding Clinic® for HCPCS - 2025 Issue 3; Ask the Editor

Hidradenitis Suppurativa

A patient presented for resection of the left axilla and left lateral chest wall due to recurrent hidradenitis suppurativa. After standard preparation the axillary site was addressed first. An elliptical incision was made, followed by electrocautery dissection through the dermis in the subcutaneous tissue. The specimen was removed and sent to pathology. Subcutaneous flaps were raised, and the incision was closed with an advancement flap.Attention was then turned to the left anterior chest wall site and a similar elliptical excision was performed using a scalpel and electrocautery. Dissection continued to the subcutaneous layer, and the specimen was also sent to pathology. The chest wall was closed with a 6 cm advancement flap. The CPT codes in range 11450-11471, excision of skin and subcutaneous tissue for hidradenitis, specify the locations axillary, inguinal, perianal, perineal, and umbilical.Since the chest is not one of the specified body areas, which code should be assigned to properly capture the excision of the hidradenitis suppurative from the left lateral chest wall? ...

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